The Ultimate Window Insulation Quiz

Insulating your home's windows may save you a bundle on your utility bills. Whether you need to warm up or cool down your home, window insulation may be a good idea. Take this quiz to see how much you know about how to insulate windows.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

How much heat loss may be caused by insufficient window insulation?

10 to 18 percent

20 to 30 percent

15 to 35 percent

In some U.S. climates, the estimate for cold weather heat loss from insufficient window insulation is anywhere from 15 to 35 percent.

Question 2 of 20

In the Sun Belt, what is the concern for windows insulation?

unwanted heat

In hot climates, windows are a source for unwanted heat in the home.

heat loss

wind drafts

Question 3 of 20

What is a very low budget method of window insulation?

bubble wrap

Bubble wrap is about as low as you can go.

thermal drapes

storm windows

Question 4 of 20

If a draft comes from window sills or sashes, what may be an easy solution?

weather-stripping

Apply weather-stripping to windows with leaky sills or sashes. This is an easy do-it-yourself job and weather-stripping is available at most hardware stores.

storm windows

thermal drapes

Question 5 of 20

What installation material is needed to put up insulating bubble wrap?

water

Spray the window with water and put up the bubble wrap, bubbles go towards the glass.

water based glue

double-sided tape

Question 6 of 20

What appliance is needed for the last step in installing plastic insulating film?

iron

fan

hair dryer

Use a hair dryer to tighten and seal the film.

Question 7 of 20

How can you get thermal shades without spending too much money?

do-it-yourself thermal shades

Commercial thermal shades may be expensive, so make them yourself and save a bundle.

retail thermal shades

custom thermal shades

Question 8 of 20

What makes thermal drapes most effective?

seal

It is not the material but the seal with the window. Leave as little space as possible between the drape and the window frame, windowsill or floor.

heavy material

neither answer

Question 9 of 20

To insulate at the window sash, what must you remove?

molding

To insulate the window sash, remove the molding around the window frame and insulate the space between the window jamb and the wall.

window frame

window jamb

Question 10 of 20

What percentage of homes have single-pane windows?

25 percent

35 percent

50 percent

About 50 percent of U.S. homes may have single-pane windows.

Question 11 of 20

How many ways may heat be lost through the windows?

one

two

four

There are four ways to lose heat through the windows: infiltration (air leaks), conduction (heat passes through the window), radiation (heat flows from warm areas to cold areas) and convection (cool air at the window pane flows to the floor, sucking hot air from the room to the window and cooling it).

Question 12 of 20

What is infiltration?

Air leaks in or out.

Heat is lost by infiltration when air leaks in or out of gaps along the edges of the windows.

Heat passes through the glass.

Heat energy flows from a warm object to a cooler object.

Question 13 of 20

What happens when heat passes through window glass?

infiltration

conduction

Conduction occurs when heat passes through glass.

radiation

Question 14 of 20

What may cause up to 65 percent of the heat loss in your home?

radiation

Radiation occurs when heat energy flows from a warm object to a cooler object, and may cause up to 65 percent of home's heat loss.

infiltration

conduction

Question 15 of 20

What type of window claims an R-value of 11?

fiberglass

A company claims that their fiberglass windows have an R-value of 11.

single-glazed

double-glazed

Question 16 of 20

Most window treatment's primary purpose is:

esthetic value

Esthetic value is the reason for most home's window treatment choices.

thermal value

neither answer

Question 17 of 20

Where are the window jambs?

window meets the wall

behind a molding

both answers

The window jamb is where the window meets the wall, and may be hidden behind a molding.